Crossroads

Chapter 39

“Ms. Carter, Halo Films has confirmed you as the lead actress for their first drama of the year, which is a remake of a blockbuster. It had been through a long selection process last year. You’ve just returned and landed this role. How do you feel now?”

Stephanie sat bored on the small sofa in her bedroom, watching entertainment gossip videos live-streaming news about Jessica’s return to the entertainment industry.

“Ms. Carter, since your debut six years ago, you’ve only played significant lead roles, and there have been rumors that you refuse ordinary roles. Everyone has been very curious about your scandals. Can you reveal the identity of the person behind you?”

“Ms. Carter, three years ago, you suddenly disappeared. Did you marry someone wealthy? Is your comeback because your husband supports your interests?”

Jessica smiled and didn’t answer.

She was wearing a light yellow suit with a chiffon long skirt, looking fashionable and elegant. When she was asked about the rumors, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, implying her shyness.

“Dominick is really good to her.”

Stephanie looked at Jessica’s face on the TV screen, which was almost identical to hers, and suddenly felt a bit depressed.

Stephanie never cared about entertainment gossip, but recently, she couldn’t help but pay attention to Jessica. She didn’t know if it was out of boredom or…concern.

She suddenly wanted to know more about Jessica. She felt that Jessica was at least her “rival”.

“Vincent!” Grabbing her phone, Stephanie called Vincent.

She didn’t dare to ask Dominick directly, but Vincent was different. He was casual, and she felt Vincent was much easier to get along with than Dominick.

Vincent was a little surprised when he received her call.

After thinking for a moment, he answered, “So, Stephanie, are you stimulated by the recent news? Are you jealous?”

He still had his usual playful tone, tinged with a hint of schadenfreude.

When Stephanie heard the words “jealous,” her face became grim.

She raised her voice to retort, “I’m not jealous! I just want to know if I really have a half-sister.”

Vincent had also suspected it before. “Stop making wild guesses. Jessica has no blood relation to you.

“Jessica has been an orphan since childhood. She was adopted by an elderly couple from Ceritha as a baby. She then went to college on Aurorastra, and Dominick met her six years ago in Nivalis…”

Stephanie’s expression was somewhat awkward. She also knew that Jessica was unlikely to be her blood sister. She just wanted to

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Chapter 39

find out her background.

But she suddenly remembered something and was puzzled. “Vincent, last time in Caelorium, you said Dominick went to visit her grave?

“You all thought she was dead and buried her in Caelorium. Jessica’s ancestral home is in Caelorium?” Stephanis felt it was just a coincidence that they were similar in this aspect.

On this topic, Vincent became somewhat strange, and his voice sounded low. “I don’t know about her ancestral home, but…when Jessica met Dominick, the topic they talked about the most was the high school in Caelorium…”

“Is it my alma mater? Hey, Vincent, you said last time Dominick went back to the country for six months at Caelorium Elite High School…” When mentioning that high school, Stephanie seemed a bit excited.

“You should better not mention that high school in front of Dominick. He doesn’t like others to bring up that matter,” Vincent interrupted her.

Stephanie listened to his serious tone and didn’t pursue it further.

It seemed that every time they talked about Dominick’s six months in Caelorium six years ago, they were always trying to conceal something as if it were a secret that couldn’t be revealed.

“But honestly, besides your similar facial features and figure… Stephanie, you’re so violent, while Jéssica is a gentle lady. How can you compare to her?”

Vincent teased her before hanging up the phone.

Stephanie didn’t bother to ask him anymore, but the thought of Jessica left her feeling uneasy.

“Jessica just came back, and Vincent snatched the leading role in a movie to her. He never even got me a gift. He’s so biased,” she grumbled.

Originally, she was looking forward to this remake movie, but she murmured, “Jessica’s delicate temperament just doesn’t fit that role at all. Dominick is obviously splurging money to promote her…”

Recently, Dominick has been busy. She felt he was probably busy with Jessica’s affairs since, this time, Jessica snatched a role that originally belonged to another woman.

“You took away Courtney’s role!”

The office door was pushed open urgently, and Kevin stormed in.

“Halo Films values this movie very much. They started auditioning for roles last year, and Jessica’s temperament is simply not suitable for the leading role. You’re interfering in investment matters for the sake of a woman!”

Because this movie was a remake, the crew was top-notch, aiming to break through the classics. Changing the lead actress at the last minute increased the investment risk, and Kevin was one of the investors.

Compared to Kevin’s excitement and anger, Dominick, sitting at the desk, looked indifferent.

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Chapter 39

“You can withdraw your investment now.”

Dominick continued to sign documents with a cold voice without even looking up.

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Kevin, seeing that Dominick was ignoring him, got even angrier. “Dominick! You know this isn’t just about investment!” He called out his name almost through gritted teeth.”

“Dominick, you should know. Courtney is Gary’s wife now.” She was Stephanie’s stepmother.

Dominick’s hand holding the pen paused for a moment, and he chuckled softly, coldly questioning, “So what?”

“At least Courtney is also part of the Reed family. Legally, you and Stephanie are married. By openly favoring your lover, you’re going against the Reed family. Dominick, aren’t you disrespectful to Stephanie this way?”

Dominick originally didn’t pay much attention to him, but when he heard him mention Stephanie, he suddenly smiled sarcastically, coldly asking, “What are you trying to say?”

Kevin had always been somewhat wary of Dominick since childhood. He instantly noticed his displeasure.

Carefully choosing his words, Kevin spoke up. “Dominick, I know you see Stephanie as a substitute for Jessica, but don’t hurt her no matter what.”

Dominick looked at him, his gaze becoming even colder. “You came here today just to remind me not to hurt Stephanie. It seems like you care about her a lot!”

“I’ve told you before. It’s none of your business!”

Kevin blurted out, “I married Steffi for three years. I know her. She wouldn’t succumb to being anyone’s substitute. She and I just have some misunderstandings…”

“What? Regret it? Suddenly missing your ex-wife?”

Dominick suddenly laughed coldly, suppressing intense anger, glaring at him. “Don’t forget. She’s my wife now! You should know that some things can’t be undone…”

“Some things were never meant to be in the first place… So stop daydreaming!”

Dominick said firmly, each word like he was suppressing his dissatisfaction.

“Get out.”

He suddenly stood up from his chair and ordered harshly.

Kevin was startled. He didn’t expect Dominick to be so stirred up. Dominick seemed to be triggered by something, the huge anger pent up in his mind, burning with jealousy, like…

Dominick slammed the vase on the left counter to the floor.

“I married Steffi for three years… For three years… Three years…”

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Chapter 39

The words Kevin had just said kept echoing in Dominick’s ears. In Dominick’s angry eyes, there was an overwhelming jealousy!

They had been together for three years, but Dominick had waited for six years.

At the Innovate Group, there was an atmosphere of unease…

Originally, after the Christmas holiday, some executives were excited to be summoned back to the company for the first meeting. But no one expected Dominick to have a grim expression by the afternoon meeting.

“We’re collaborating with Dodton on the underwater tunnel project. All the raw materials are coming from Dodton, and the prices have been negotiated. However, the project construction time needs to be postponed by two months…” The project director of the collaboration spoke cautiously.

Dominick’s face was cold as he grabbed a document from the table and slammed it down.

“Postpone it by two months?”

He glanced at the project director, clearly expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome.

The project director broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly explained, “Mr. Wellington, it’s because the engineering department has some critical issues that need to be addressed abroad…”

“Then what’s the point of keeping them!”

Dominick interrupted him harshly, his face darkening with displeasure, “Just bring the overseas team back here. Are your brains for decoration? You never consider the time!”

At the enormous circular conference table of the Innovate Group, each elite executive looked down, not daring to breathe loudly.

Dominick looked at them, becoming increasingly displeased. Suddenly, he stood up.

The others immediately tensed, only to hear Dominick impatiently instruct, “Handle the remaining projects yourselves. Have all decision reports sent to my office by tomorrow morning!”

This group

of unfortunate executives breathed a sigh of relief only after Dominick strode out of the meeting room.

They all wore grim expressions, exchanging glances. Dominick was already difficult to deal with, but today, he seemed to be on edge, dissatisfied with any proposal.

They wondered who had offended Dominick!

Today, the first day back to work after Christmas, at the grand 68th-floor Innovate Group building, Dominick stood by the floor-to- ceiling windows in his top-floor office, watching the sunset, feeling extremely frustrated.

“Mr. Wellington, the flight to Nivalis has been booked,” the chief secretary entered to report.

Dominick always liked to work overtime and travel when he was in a bad mood. He was simply a workaholic.

Still, with a gloomy look, Dominick felt agitated and annoyed. He paced, heading straight for the door, ready to leave for Nivalis to discuss the new project.

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Chapter 39

However, just as Dominick was about to leave the office, he hesitated.

His gaze fell on the calendar on the wall, lost in thought.

Tomorrow was Sunday…

“Let the vice president go to Nivalis in my place…” Dominick instructed the secretary.

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As soon as he spoke, his phone rang timely. Dominick looked at the name displayed on the phone, his eyebrows raised slightly.

“What is it?”

Dominick asked coldly into the phone, but the secretary was surprised, feeling that Dominick’s tone had softened considerably.

On the other end of the line, Stephanie listened to his cold voice, feeling a bit displeased. She quickly said, “Dominick, Grandpa asked me to tell you. Don’t think about sneaking off on a business trip. Tomorrow, we both have to attend class!”

Listening to her slightly annoyed voice, Dominick felt somewhat relieved.

He jokingly asked, “Did Grandpa scold you?”

“Cut it out! Last time, you said you’d take down the video of me jumping into the river. Now Grandpa’s blaming me. He’s so angry and keeps scolding me. And you! You’ll get scolded when you get home tool” Stephanie complained angrily with a grim look.

“And also, Grandpa said we have to take notes in that maternal and child course tomorrow. I’m fed up! I’m not doing that. Deal with it yourself…”

While Stephanie complained on the phone, Dominick remained silent, listening to her grievances.

The thick glass reflected Dominick’s handsome profile as he smirked and chuckled softly…